If your doctor thinks you may not be making enough, a test is usually done in the morning. A cortisol test is done to find problems of the pituitary gland or adrenal glands, such as making too much or too little hormones. You may be asked to avoid strenuous physical activity the day before a cortisol test. You may also be asked to lie down and relax for 30 minutes before the blood test. Many medicines may change the results of this test.
Some medicines, such as steroids, can affect cortisol levels for some time even after you stop taking the medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the non-prescription and prescription medicines you take. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean.
To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form. The health professional drawing your blood will:. The blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm. An elastic band is wrapped around your upper arm. It may feel tight. You may feel nothing at all from the needle, or you may feel a quick sting or pinch. There is very little chance of a problem from having a blood sample taken from a vein.
The normal values listed here—called a reference range—are just a guide. These ranges vary from lab to lab, and your lab may have a different range for what's normal. Your lab report should contain the range your lab uses. Also, your doctor will evaluate your results based on your health and other factors.
This means that a value that falls outside the normal values listed here may still be normal for you or your lab. Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:.
Dalkin MD - Endocrinology. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Top of the page. A similar version of this hormone, known as corticosterone , is produced by rodents, birds and reptiles.
Blood levels of cortisol vary throughout the day, but generally are higher in the morning when we wake up, and then fall throughout the day. This is called a diurnal rhythm.
In people that work at night, this pattern is reversed, so the timing of cortisol release is clearly linked to daily activity patterns. In addition, in response to stress, extra cortisol is released to help the body to respond appropriately. The secretion of cortisol is mainly controlled by three inter-communicating regions of the body; the hypothalamus in the brain, the pituitary gland and the adrenal gland.
This is called the hypothalamic—pituitary—adrenal axis. When cortisol levels in the blood are low, a group of cells in a region of the brain called the hypothalamus releases corticotrophin-releasing hormone , which causes the pituitary gland to secrete another hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone , into the bloodstream.
High levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone are detected in the adrenal glands and stimulate the secretion of cortisol, causing blood levels of cortisol to rise. As the cortisol levels rise, they start to block the release of corticotrophin-releasing hormone from the hypothalamus and adrenocorticotropic hormone from the pituitary.
As a result, the adrenocorticotropic hormone levels start to drop, which then leads to a drop in cortisol levels. This is called a negative feedback loop. Too much cortisol over a prolonged period of time can lead to a condition called Cushing's syndrome. This can be caused by a wide range of factors, such as a tumour that produces adrenocorticotropic hormone and therefore increases cortisol secretion , or taking certain types of drugs. The symptoms include:. High cortisol levels over a prolonged time can also cause lack of sex drive and, in women, periods can become irregular, less frequent or stop altogether amenorrhoea.
Some drugs may also elevate levels of cortisol, including estrogen-containing drugs and synthetic glucocorticoids, such as prednisone. There are some side effects of blood removal from the arm, including temporary scabbing and bruising or discoloration at the site of needle insertion. If a doctor orders a cortisol test, there is a strong likelihood that they are trying to diagnose a specific disorder. The doctor will discuss the results of the test with the individual.
If a cortisol level test reveals low or high levels of cortisol, a person is likely to need additional testing to confirm a diagnosis. Most people do not experience any significant side effects from the test and can continue with their everyday activities.
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